Adjective or Adverb?

Adjective? or Adverb? Adjectives answer the following questions: –W–Which one? –W–What kind? –H–How Many? Adverbs answer the following questions: –W–When? –W–Where? –H–How? –T–To What Extent?

Bad (adjective) vs. Badly (adverb) Example: –T–That was a bad joke they played on the man. (answers the question what kind of a joke--- adjective) –T–The program was badly printed. (answers the question how It was printed---adverb)

Examples: The ball was thrown so badly it hit a window. (answers the question how badly it was thrown---adverb) Use the adjective bad with a linking verb: Examples: The weather outside looked bad. That milk in that plastic jug smells bad.

Good (adjective) vs. Well (adverb) Examples: –The baseball team gave a good performance. (answers the question “what kind” of a performance---adjective) –They played especially well during the ninth inning. (answers the question “how” they played---adverb)

Additional Use for Well Use well when it refers to health: –Example: He feels well. Sue doesn’t seem well. –Note: Well can be used as an adjective or as an adverb. However, only use well when it refers to health.

Slow (adjective) vs. Slowly (adverb) Example: –W–We took a slow drive through the countryside. (answers the question what kind of drive--- adjective) –A–Although Terry is a slow worker, she does a good job. (answers the question what kind of worker--- adjective) –T–The train slowly came to a stop in front of the station. (answers the question how the train came to a stop---adverb) –D–Drive slowly on slippery roads. (answers the questions how to drive---adverb)

Real (adjective) vs. Really (adverb) Example: –Incorrect: He played real good in the game. –Correct: He played really well in the game. (tells how he played---adverb) –Incorrect: The fireworks exploded with a real loud bang. –Correct: The fireworks exploded with a really loud bang. (answers the question how loud---adverb)

Summary Adjectives must modify nouns and pronouns. Adjectives answer the questions: Which one? What kind? How Many?

Summary Adverbs must modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Adverbs answer the following questions: – W– When? –W–Where? – W– Why? –T–To what extent? Note: When you use well to refer to health, well is an adjective---He feels well (not good).

Use words such as good, bad, sure, real, slow as adjectives to modify nouns or pronouns. Use words such as well, badly, surely, really, slowly. Use well when it refers to health. Memorize the questions adjectives answer. Memorize the questions adverbs answer.